Introduction
When launching a digital experiential learning platform for schools, we faced a significant challenge – how to ensure that licensing remained fair and accurate while providing a seamless user experience. Our licensing model was designed around the number of students using the platform, but real-world complexities introduced loopholes that made enforcement difficult. In this blog, we delve into the challenges, the brainstorming process, and the ultimate solution that was used for not only solving the digital licensing problem but also enhanced the overall learning experience for students.
The Challenge
While our digital platform was built to transform classroom learning through interactive experiences, licensing enforcement turned out to be more complicated than we initially thought. Here are the three major issues we encountered:
- Frequent Student Transfers: A considerable number of students change schools mid-year, leading to ambiguity in the license count. A school could purchase licenses for a set number of students, but as new students enrolled and others transferred out, tracking usage became a challenge.
- Post-Purchase Enrolments: Schools often admit new students after purchasing the product, leading to under-reported license usage. These students would gain access to the platform without being accounted for in the original purchase.
- Misrepresentation of Student Numbers: Some institutions misrepresented the actual student count to reduce licensing fees. Without a robust way to verify usage, it was difficult to ensure that the school was being billed fairly.
These challenges meant that our digital platform was facing potential revenue leaks while struggling to maintain an effortless experience for educators and students.
Brainstorming Solutions
We conducted multiple brainstorming sessions to explore potential solutions that could control licensing without hindering the user experience. Some of the ideas we considered included:
Providing Unique Licenses for Students
- Each student would be assigned a unique digital license tied to their profile.
- Why it wouldn’t work: Younger kids often struggle with managing logins, and many do not have personal accounts to track their access. This approach was impractical for lower-grade students.
Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration
- Schools could integrate our platform with their existing authentication systems, allowing students to log in seamlessly.
- Why it wouldn’t work: Many younger students do not have email addresses, making SSO solutions like Google or Microsoft authentication ineffective.
Device & IP Restrictions
- Limiting the number of devices per student or tying access to specific IP addresses within the school network.
- Why it wouldn’t work: Students who recently joined the school would face access restrictions. This approach also introduced difficulties in hybrid learning environments where students might need access from home.
With each solution we explored, new complexities emerged. The more we relied on technical measures, the tougher it became to provide a seamless experience for both students and teachers.
The Breakthrough: A Print-Based Licensing Model
Instead of trying to fix licensing purely through digital restrictions, we took a step back and explored a hybrid solution—leveraging physical workbooks as the key licensing control mechanism. Here’s how it worked:
- Each student received a workbook as part of their licensing package.
- Only schools that purchased licenses received a specific number of workbooks, ensuring compliance.
- Students needed the workbook to engage in digital sessions, making it an essential part of their learning process.
- Additional features were embedded in the workbook to enrich the learning experience and provide tangible value.
This approach worked because it linked digital access to a physical, trackable item, making it far more difficult to bypass licensing restrictions.
Why This Solution Worked
The introduction of workbooks not only solved the licensing issue but also enhanced the overall student experience in unexpected ways. Here’s why it proved to be a game-changer:
- The Workbook Became the Sole Licensing Consumable
- Schools could no longer under-report student numbers, as workbooks had to be distributed in exact numbers.
- The tangible nature of the workbook made enforcement much simpler.
- Additional Content Reduced Student Effort During Digital Sessions
- Pre-filled information and structured exercises in the workbook streamlined student engagement during digital activities.
- This significantly reduced on-screen typing and note-taking efforts for young learners.
- Encouraged Craftwork and Hands-On Engagement
- Students started using the workbook to paste their craftwork, take notes, and complete activities, reinforcing learning through tactile interaction.
- This enhanced retention and made learning more interactive.
- The Workbook Became a Key Discussion Point for Parents
- Parents could now visibly track what their child was learning, making the impact of the digital platform more apparent.
- Schools reported increased parent satisfaction as they could see the tangible output of their child’s progress.
Final Thoughts
What started as a digital licensing problem evolved into an opportunity to create a better learning experience. By moving away from complex technical solutions and embracing a hybrid digital-physical model, we not only solved the problem of misused licenses but also improved student engagement, learning outcomes, and parental involvement.
For EdTech entrepreneurs, this case highlights the importance of rethinking traditional licensing models and prioritising user experience over rigid digital enforcement mechanisms. Sometimes, the best tech solutions come from thinking beyond technology itself.
This shift not only protected our revenue but also made our platform more effective, memorable, and engaging for students, teachers, and parents alike.
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